Bronx Lighthouse Charter School is now accepting applications for 5th-8th Grade Math Teachers for the 2013-2014 school year.

Lighthouse Academy (LHA) Upper Academy teachers are more than instructional staff members and classroom managers. They help transform children’s lives by creating opportunities for a brighter future. We are seeking Upper Academy teachers who will make the commitment to teach with determination, integrity and purpose, embodying these essential qualities:

A passion and ability to build and sustain the LHA K-12 model in a high need, urban environment

Work in schools that demonstrates a sense of urgency and the relentless pursuit of high academic student achievement

Reflective, self-aware and adaptable to communication and work styles of others

Critical thinker and problem solver who takes initiative

Belief in the power of collaboration and works to build a collaborative culture with LHA network, community, staff, families and students

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
A Lighthouse Academy Upper Academy teacher works to create and enhance a culture of achievement and respect where high expectations and results are the norm. All teachers are responsible for demonstrating significant and measurable academic gains, each year, with the students they teach. All teachers’ actions must always be aligned with our mission, vision, core values and education program. The essential functions for ourPreK teachers are as follows:

INSTRUCTION

I. PLANNING for INSTRUCTION

Use the state standards to create rigorous, objective-driven, arts-infused lessons aligned with curriculum maps.

Identify in each lesson what thinking skills will be explicitly taught and practiced; what physical, social, or content skills students will be able to do and how students will know if they can do it.

Differentiate for individual students based on their unique learning needs so all students are appropriately engaged and challenged.

Ensure students are engaged through activities and technology that accommodate various learning styles, personality styles, and the need for physical movement.

II. DELIVERY of INSTRUCTION

Explicitly introduce learning objectives to activate students’ prior knowledge as it relates to the objectives, and conclude the lesson by revisiting the learning objective and having students apply it in context.

Present academic content through a variety of instructional strategies to reach all learners.

Provide many and varied opportunities for students to achieve mastery while working to promote achievement by all students without exception.

ASSESSMENT

Develop standards-aligned, measurable, ambitious big goals that will increase student opportunities for achievement; assess and track performance against these goals.

Provide ongoing and timely feedback to students on their progress towards meeting big goals by frequently checking for understanding and listening.

Use data to reflect on effectiveness of lessons and student achievement progress in order to improve instruction and personal practice.

Use data to update each student’s Individual Learning Plan.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Create a focused environment of fairness and respect that encourages students to take risks and strive to reach goals.

Communicate and enforce high expectations and standards for behavior and academic performance, aligned with the LHA School Culture Guide and Developmental Design for Middle School, to create a strong culture of achievement and respect.

Work collaboratively with parents/guardians, families, and other members of the community to involve them in academic activities and to support the success of a diverse student population and to bring in volunteers and additional resources.

PROFESSIONALISM

Collaborate with colleagues (grade level and school-wide meetings, professional development days, the professional development institute) to continuously improve personal practice, classroom instruction, assessment, and student achievement, as well as the overall goals and mission of the school and the network.

Access meaningful learning experiences (current theory, research, and developments in relevant academic disciplines, professional development opportunities, and ideas from colleagues and supervisors) and exercises judgment in accepting findings as valid for application in classroom practice and teacher improvement.

Reflect critically upon teaching experience; identify areas for further professional development as part of a professional development plan that is linked to grade level, school, and network goals; access meaningful learning experiences; and listen thoughtfully to other viewpoints and respond constructively to suggestions and criticisms.

Use feedback to update Individual Professional Development Plan.

Fulfill all outlined and related functions professionally, timely and thoroughly.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree required, Masters Degree preferred

Minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred

Required state teaching certification/licensure; Highly Qualified status under No Child Left Behind

Proven track record of raising student achievement scores in an urban environment

Strong desire to work within an innovative, urban educational program

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Mission Focused

Driven towards Excellence

Results Oriented

Culturally Proficient

Collaborative Colleague

Constant Learner

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of or experience with Common Core State Standards or Understanding by Design preferred

Ability to use data to inform instruction and decision-making related to student achievement

Ability to turn best practices into high quality, goal-driven results

Highly effective writing, oral and interpersonal skills to communicate with a varied audience